Practical tools for connection, engagement and effective therapy with Children

Dates: Friday 7th August (FULLY BOOKED – please email to be put on a waitlist)
Time: 9:00 AM – 4:00 PM (AEST – QLD)
Delivery: Live online via Zoom
Cost: $275 AUD (inc. GST)

CPD: Certificate of attendance provided (6 hours)

Overview:

This practical, skills-focused workshop introduces core tools from Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) that can be immediately integrated into your work with children. With minimal theory and a strong emphasis on case examples and real-world application, the training is designed to help therapists respond effectively in the moment rather than relying on scripted techniques.

Participants will gain a clear understanding of what distinguishes CCPT from simply “using toys in therapy,” alongside a brief overview of the key research and theoretical foundations underpinning the approach. You will also learn about the purpose of common play therapy materials and how the therapy environment supports emotional expression, autonomy and therapeutic change.

A central focus of the day is developing foundational relational skills drawn from CCPT, including tracking, reflecting feelings and content, therapeutic limit setting, and returning responsibility to the child. These skills will be explored through practical examples to support confident, flexible responses during sessions.

Our afternoon is focused on common situations that can feel challenging in practice. You will learn how to support the reluctant to engage or silent children, those who struggle to separate from caregivers, those with difficulties at the end of sessions, praise-seekers or people-pleasers, physically affectionate children, and those that require frequent reassurance.

This training is designed to enhance your existing therapeutic work by increasing confidence, reducing uncertainty, and expanding your repertoire of in-the-moment responses while maintaining a child-centred stance. It is not an accredited qualification and does not prepare participants to practise as child-centred play therapists.

Learning Objectives:

By the end of this workshop, participants will be able to:

• Distinguish Child-Centred Play Therapy (CCPT) from other forms of therapy that incorporate play or toys
• Describe the core principles and theoretical foundations underpinning CCPT
• Identify the purpose of common materials and features of a therapeutic play environment
• Demonstrate foundational CCPT relational skills, including tracking, reflecting feelings and content, therapeutic limit setting, and returning responsibility to the child
• Apply CCPT-informed responses to common clinical challenges encountered when working with children
• Integrate CCPT-informed techniques into their existing therapeutic approach to enhance effectiveness and confidence

Presenter:

Kerri-Anne Chung is an EMDR-trained Counsellor and Play Therapist specialising in trauma-informed work with children, adolescents and families. She integrates EMDR with directive and non-directive play therapy within a strong attachment-based framework and has a particular interest in supporting neurodivergent young people whose needs may be overlooked. Her work takes a whole-family approach, supporting both children and their caregivers.

Qualifications & Professional Training

• Bachelor of Psychological Science (Honours), UQ
• Master of Counselling and Psychotherapy, ACAP
• EMDR Training (Levels 1 & 2 and Advanced)
• Postgraduate Certificate in Play Therapy
• Advanced Clinical Training in Play Therapy
• Certificate of Individual and Group Supervision
• Circle of Security Parenting & Classrooms Facilitator Training

Professional Memberships & Registrations

• PACFA Registered Clinical Counsellor (Reg. No. 25896)
• PACFA Accredited Supervisor
• Full Member, EMDR Association of Australia (EMDRAA) — Child & Adolescent Trained
• Circle of Security Parenting & Classrooms Facilitator
• Director of Northside Counselling & Play Therapy

Who Should Attend:

This workshop is suitable for therapists and helping professionals who work directly with children and would like practical, immediately usable skills drawn from Child-Centred Play Therapy to enhance their current practice.

This training may be particularly relevant for:

• Counsellors and psychotherapists
• Psychologists and provisional psychologists
• Social workers
• Occupational therapists
• Mental health clinicians
• School counsellors and wellbeing staff
• Therapists in private practice, community, or organisational settings

No prior training in play therapy is required.

Who May Not Benefit:

This workshop is not designed as a comprehensive or accredited training in Child-Centred Play Therapy and does not qualify participants to practise as play therapists.

It may be less suitable for:

• Practitioners seeking formal certification or advanced play therapy training
• Professionals who do not work directly with children in a therapeutic context
• Those seeking highly theoretical or research-focused content
• Individuals looking for behavioural management programs rather than relational, child-centred approaches
• Parents or carers attending in a personal (non-professional) capacity

How to book: email Jen at admin@northsideplaytherapy.com.au or submit an enquiry through our website. An invoice will be emailed upon booking to secure your spot.